Chelsea face a tough test against high-flying Watford on Saturday afternoon, with the Blues hoping not to suffer their third straight league defeat.
Watford have been a surprise dark horse so far this season and currently sit fourth in the table after beating rivals Arsenal 2-1 last week. Chelsea on the other hand lost 2-1 to bottom of the table Crystal Palace in embarrassing style, and Conte will be desperate not to drop any more points in what has been a tough week for his side.
Chelsea are facing an injury crisis in midfield, with David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko both picking up injuries against Roma in the Champions League, joining Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante on the sidelines. Victor Moses will also be unavailable after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Watford have injury troubles of their own though, Chalobah is out with a knee injury and will be unable to face his former side as well as Hoban, Cathcart, Prodl, Kaboul and Success.
The stats do favour the Blues though, with Chelsea having lost just one of the previous eight Premier League meetings with Watford, coming back in 1999 at Vicarage Road. In fact, Watford haven’t won a competitive game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since May 5th 1986.
Last season it is fair to say that Chelsea got a little bit lucky over Watford in both their league games, with them winning both home and away by a one goal margin – and the winner coming in the 87th minute or later.
Chelsea have already lost three of their opening eight Premier League games to the 2017-18 season. The last time a team lost this many of their opening eight league games and still won the top-flight title were Manchester United in 1966-67.
Watford boss Marco Silva has won 10 points from a possible 12 away from home in the Premier League as a manager this season, an impressive record when you consider that during the 2016/17 season while at Hull City, he saw his side pick up just two points from nine away games in the Premier League.
Chelsea Predicted XI
Courtois
Azpilicueta – Luiz – Cahill
Zappacosta – Fabregas – Bakayoko – Alonso
Pedro – Morata – Hazard
Watford Predicted XI
Gomes
Mariappa – Kabasele – Britos
Femenia – Cleverley – Doucoure – Holebas
Pereyra – Gray – Richarlison
Predicted score: 2-0